The Twin Links Mini Golf Course in Mt Prospect is closing tomorrow after 42 years in business.
There will be a 24-hour care facility and imaging center on the site, which I suppose is better than another bunch of retail.
Having grown up about a mile east of Twin Links, I have a lot of memories of the place and its two 18-hole courses. Many of my early summertime days were spent at the course with my elder siblings (I remember how cool the scorecards and little pencils looked), followed by a visit to the McDonald's across the street.
Many days during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school were spent there-- my friends and I used to ride our bikes there, followed by a visit to the Ben Franklin and Tony's Hobby Lobby in Arlington Heights.
When I was a senior, my high school actually had a Miniature Golf unit in Physical Education-- they would bus us from the school to Twin Links, where we barely had enough time to play 10 holes before being shuttled back.
I had several dates there, as well. That was where I learned the fine art of how (and when) to miss sinking an easy putt.
In the early 1990s, now an adult and homeowner, I started visiting the new batting cages. I realized it was lot of fun and a good way to get rid of the frustrations of the day in both good times and not-so-good times.
I introduced my kids to Twin Links in the early 2000s, and they've been hooked ever since.
The other night's game under the lights was a lot like I remembered the place, but as you can see in the photo above the fluorescent "gas station" style lights weren't turned on-- their services were now provided by halogen lamps mounted on high poles.
Over the years, the place has changed a bit; some of the "hazards" were upgraded-- a new Statue of Liberty was installed in the 80s and a carousel was added in the 90s-- but it mostly remained the same, including the water hazard with its little blue pool on #8, the guillotine on #4, and the scorecard stands at each hole with their hand-painted lettering.
The girls, Lisa, and I played the North Course on Thursday night and the South Course on Friday morning. Here's the scorecard from Thursday night, filled in by Becky:
The event on Sunday is supposed to include giveaways of Twin Links memorabilia; we're not sure if we're going to attend, but we may stop by for one final time. In the event we don't make it, here are some scans of a blank Twin Links scorecard, front and back.
We'll sure miss the place.